You can apply for ILR up to 28 days before you reach the required amount of time living in the UK. There’s no need to wait until your current visa expires

It's important to know that if you travel outside the UK, while your ILR application is in progress, the Home Office may automatically withdraw your application.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to get a refund, and you may even face difficulties re-entering the UK.

If you have an urgent need to travel, consider reaching out to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for advice. In some cases, priority services may be available to speed up your application.

For those applying for ILR from outside the UK, keep my passport service might allow you to travel back to the UK while your application is processed. However, please be aware that there may still be challenges crossing the border.

Certain types of absences won’t count towards the 180-day (or 184/548-day) absence limit for ILR. These include:

• Assisting with a national or international humanitarian or environmental crisis overseas.
• Experiencing travel disruptions due to natural disasters, military conflicts, or pandemics.
• Compelling personal circumstances, such as the life-threatening illness of the applicant or a close family member.

Yes, specific types of absences are allowed for Skilled Workers and Global Talent visa holders without affecting ILR applications:

• Skilled Workers: Absences for sponsor-approved research in certain scientific or academic roles (e.g., biochemists, social scientists) won’t impact ILR eligibility.
• Global Talent Visa Holders: Research absences won’t count if the applicant was endorsed by bodies like The Royal Society or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) or qualified using a prestigious prize.

Since January 2018, the Home Office has extended the absence rule for ILR eligibility to include dependants of PBS (Points-Based System) visa holders. Previously, dependants were exempt from this requirement, but now it applies to certain family members.

For PBS dependants applying for ILR after January 2018, the 180-day absence rule is in effect. This means that applicants should not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK within any consecutive 12-month period during their qualifying time.

Importantly, this absence rule only applies to spouses or unmarried partners of PBS visa holders—children are not affected by this regulation.

If you’re a PBS dependant preparing for ILR, it's essential to keep track of your time spent outside the UK and ensure you meet this requirement. For more personalised guidance, feel free to reach out to our team of immigration experts.

Yes, if you’re applying for ILR under the Family Life route, absences for work, study, or supporting family overseas are allowed as long as:

• Your family life is maintained in the UK.
• The UK remains your primary residence.

These absences won’t affect your ILR eligibility under Appendix Settlement Family Life.

No, absences due to unavoidable travel disruptions—such as natural disasters, military conflicts, or pandemics—will not count toward the ILR 180-day absence limit.

Yes, if your partner is on Crown service (e.g., in the Armed Forces, a UK Government role, or the British Council), and you accompany them overseas, these absences won’t count against your ILR eligibility.

If you’re a Skilled Worker conducting sponsor-approved research in specific roles, these absences are allowed for ILR. Qualifying job codes include:

• Chemical scientists (2111)
• Biological scientists (2112)
• Higher education teaching professionals (2311), among others.

These roles allow permitted research absences that won’t count toward the 180-day ILR absence limit.

To avoid issues, document the reason for each permitted absence, including supporting letters from employers or relevant authorities. Consulting an immigration adviser can help clarify if your absences are counted toward ILR eligibility.